US State Department Raises Travel Warnings for North Korea and Burkina Faso

Recently, the U.S. State Department has raised North Korea and Burkina Faso to a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) threat level. This is the most severe rating in its state department’s travel advisory hierarchy. This designation not only spotlights important safety and security issues in these countries, but helps address them. In light of this, officials are officially advising all American citizens against traveling to either country.

North Korea’s increase to Level 4 comes with strong admonitions. The State Department points to “the continuing serious risk of arrest, long-term detention, and the threat of wrongful detention.” These emerging risks necessitated the need to reassess our travel guidelines. Consequently, North Korea is now truly back on the list of countries that Americans should not travel to/through.

Burkina Faso is under these same threats, such as the violence and civil unrest, which have led to its Level 4 designation. Even more encouragingly, the U.S. government has pressured the host government to make conditions in host country so dangerous that travel warning should be issued.

This brings the total number of countries currently under the Level 4 advisory to 21. It’s about countries like Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, and Venezuela. These countries are extremely dangerous for American travelers due to armed conflict, terrorism, and civil or political unrest.

And while North Korea and Burkina Faso might currently be at the apex of the advisory ladder, other contiguous countries such as Mexico offer diametrically opposed advisories. Overall, Mexico has a Level 2 designation. This has translated to travelers needing to be more vigilant in specific regions due to rising crime levels and violence. Certain areas of Mexico have been issued Level 4 travel advisories. That again shows the complexity of safety as an issue throughout the entire country.

As the State Department reacts to the situation around the world, the advice and travel advisories are updated frequently. If you’re an American citizen currently planning international travel, don’t forget to visit our official travel advisory website. It provides comprehensive, objective data about the safety landscape where you want to go.